Many have questioned just how much interest there would be if Eagles wideout Riley Cooper hits free agency next month, due to his checkered past.

That question is now starting to be answered.

According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, there is expected to be "significant demand" for Cooper as a free agent. If true, that means any hopes the Eagles had of landing Cooper on a discount due to other teams being scared off by his past could be gone.

That also means that the pressure is now on the Eagles to get a deal done with the wide receiver before March 8, when other teams can begin contacting soon-to-be-free agents.

Cooper had a breakout season for the Eagles in 2013, finishing with 47 catches for 835 yards and eight touchdowns. At 6-foot-3, 222 pounds, Cooper showed the ability to be a big-play threat. He was also a solid run blocker -- two qualities that are key in the Eagles' offense.

The 5th-year receiver became a starter after Jeremy Maclin went down in training camp with a torn ACL. With Maclin also set to become a free agent, the Eagles will have to decide if they want to bring back Cooper, Maclin, both or neither.

Free agency is still just under a month away, and there are already plenty of reports that other teams will have interest in the Eagles' wideouts. The New York Jets are rumored to be interested in Maclin, and per Florio, it sounds like plenty of teams will be knocking on Cooper's door as well.

If the Eagles cannot sign Cooper or Maclin, the chances increase of them going after a wideout early in the draft. Losing the duo would leave them with DeSean Jackson and then a cast of average wideouts -- a scenario that won't fly with offensive guru Chip Kelly.